Filing season is underway for the May 4 city and school election and, in Rockdale, the first week brought a big announcement.
Michelle Lehmkuhl, a four-term, 12-year veteran of the school board, and a former board president, announced she would not seek re-election to her Place 3 position.
There were also filings for the other two school board slots and for both the Milano school board and city council.
SCHOOL BOARD—
Lehmkuhl issued this statement to The Reporter:
“After 12 years of serving on the Rockdale ISD Board of Trustees, three as president and seven as vice-president, I have decided not to seek re-election.
“Throughout my time on the board, I am most proud of all the new opportunities and updated facilities we have been able to provide our students. Rockdale and the Tigers will always have a special place in my heart.
I know I am leaving the school board and district in good hands and look forward to seeing all of the great things to come for Rockdale ISD.”
Lehmkuhl was first elected in a 2007 contested election and was re-elected without opposition in 2010, 2013 and 2016.
Three persons have filed for the three school board positions to be decided this year.
Jillian McEntarffer filed for the Place 3 position being vacated by Lehmkuhl.
Place 4 incumbent Charles Miles and Place 6 trustee Wenda Dyer filed for re-election during the week.
Miles is seeking his first full term after being appointed to the board in 2017. He ran unopposed and won the remainder of that unexpired term.
Dyer is seeking her fourth term.
Candidates may file weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Feb. 15 at the RISD Central Administration Building, 520 West Davilla.
CITY COUNCIL—There were no filings during the first week for the City of Rockdale, where the mayor’s position and two city council seats will be filled in 2019.
Terms of Mayor John King, east ward council member Joyce Dalley and west ward member Nathan Bland are expiring.
King was first elected in a three-way race in 2013 and re-elected in a 2016 contest.
Dalley has won three contested races, in 2010, 2013 and 2016.
Bland is completing his second term. He was elected in a 2013 contest and re-elected without opposition in 2016.
Filing is at City Hall. weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
City voters will also decide on amendments to the city charter. Voters approved the new charter in 2016.
There are no Rockdale Hospital District board races in 2019.
MILANO—Mayor Roddy Gage and incumbent council member Glenda Westbrook have filed for new terms on the Milano City council.
Other terms expiring this year are those of council members David Gunnels Jr. and Steve Honeycutt.
The Milano ISD School Board got its first candidate during the week as Charles Dennis Magee filed.
Terms of board members Carl Blake, Michael Andrews and Lynette Taylor are expiring in 2019.
Filing for both races is in the Milano ISD Superintendent’s Office, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays.
THORNDALE—There were no filings during the first week for either the Thorndale ISD School Board or Thorndale City Council.
Terms of Thorndale ISD trustees David Hall (school board president), Kirk Becker and Dean Betak are expiring this year.
Filing is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays in the TISD superintendent’s office.
Terms of Mayor George Galbreath and council members Larry Drabek and Stephanie Churchman are expiring in 2019.
Filing is at City Hall, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
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